This just in: The pigs are trying to kill us

In my JSC NASA inbox this morning:

JSC TODAY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

From The Center Director:

Within the last week, a new strain of influenza has emerged in North America called swine influenza (H1N1). Confirmed cases have been reported in Mexico, California, Texas and most recently Kansas. Normally human cases of swine flu happen in people who are exposed to infected pigs but it is possible for the virus to spread from person to person.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), state and local health authorities are working together, increasing surveillance and assessing the potential threat to public health. At the Johnson Space Center, the Space Life Sciences Directorate and Center Operations Office of Emergency Management are working together with local officials to protect the health of the workforce, our families and the community.

Please understand that we are in the very early stages of learning about this potential emerging threat. What we do know is that it is an Influenza Type A virus and can spread from human to human through coughing or sneezing of infected people. It is not known how easily it spreads between people.

The signs and symptoms are very similar to the symptoms of regular human flu. Those symptoms include fever, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people with swine flu are also reporting diarrhea and vomiting. Like human influenza, swine flu can lead to pneumonia and respiratory failure and can worsen underlying chronic medical conditions.

The swine flu can be treated with antiviral medication. If you think that you are having symptoms of influenza it is important to see your personal physician as soon as possible for these medications to be most effective. There is no vaccine available at this time.

We need the JSC workforce to take the following actions that can help prevent the spread of germs and cause respiratory illness such as influenza:

Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze.
Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
If you get sick with influenza, stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
If you develop an illness with fever and respiratory symptoms, such as cough and runny nose, and possibly other symptoms, such as body aches, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea; DO NOT COME TO WORK AT JSC but instead contact your health care provider.

For more information visit www.pandemicflu.gov and www.cdc.gov/swineflu.